Camille Doncieux (1847 - 1879) was Monet's first wife and died at the age of 32 after suffering from cancer. She modelled for him on many occasions, in particular for his famous work, A Woman with the Green Dress. Here her face is encircled by a veil depicted in long brushstrokes running from blue to grey, with a few touches of pink. The year before Doncieux's death, Monet moved to the village of Vetheuil, to the west of Paris. The Vetheuil period (1878 - 1881) was one of the most financially difficult times for Monet, who was penniless. He was also faced with the bankruptcy of one of his main collectors, Ernest Hoschede, whose wife Alice cared for Camille until her death; she later became Monet's second wife.